It gave be a great sense of relief to read on the Observer the following
paragraph copied from the opposition's statement
---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>The most crucial point that the Gambian public wanted to hear is who gave
>the order to shoot. If it was not the president, did he condone it and if
>he
>did not, what is he going to do about this grave misjudgment. His statement
>that he was 'constantly working with (his) government on the evolution of
>the situation on the ground" is not helpful at all because this means that
>he was aware all along of what was happening to the children
----------------------------------------------------------------
Atleast there are some people who are trying to pose the right questions and
trying to resolve this situation in a logical manner ...rather than hurling
insults at each other and being led by our hearts and not our heads.
>From: Dampha Kebba <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: On The Way Forward (Attn. Hamjatta)
>Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 13:21:29 EDT
>
>Some good observations from people on the ground. However, I was a bit
>puzzled by your articulation of the students' demands ...
>
>"They want to know whether live bullets were utilised which led to the
>death
>of students. They want a fair and speedy trial in connection with Ebrima
>Barry's case. They want a commission of enquiry to know what actually
>happened."
>
>.....I thought it was abundantly clear from eyewitness accounts that live
>bullets were used. True, we need a proper forum to bring this out in the
>open. But I would not stay neutral and give the perpetrators of these acts
>benefit of the doubt. I think the main question is who was responsible for
>giving out orders to shoot and kill school children..... Aren't people also
>demanding to know what transpired between the Govt. negotiators and the
>students ....lastly, to get the ball rolling, have people started taking up
>the Attorney General on his promise and giving him names of people who can
>serve as prosecutors when these criminals who shot and ordered the shooting
>of our children are brought to trial.
>
>
>
>
>>From: foroyaa <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>><[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: On The Way Forward (Attn. Hamjatta)
>>Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 15:28:47 +0100
>>
>>Hamjatta,
>>
>>The points you raised in your memorandum of 16 April have been noted. Feel
>>free to send me personal mails to raise any question for further
>>clarification. This is a time to share. All views need to be taken on
>>board.
>>
>>It is, however, necessary to explain certain things to you that may enable
>>you to understand our position better.
>>
>>You would agree with me that in order to be the guardians of our own
>>destiny, we must address the exigencies of the passing moment and the
>>demands of the emerging future. We have a responsibility to address both
>>demands. This is precisely the reason why we operate at both levels. We do
>>take measures to address concerns that are of immediate consideration, and
>>we do operate at the level of a political party aimed at ensuring the
>>complete transformation of the society.
>>
>>The students demonstration was beyond partisan politics and it gave birth
>>to
>>a coalition of students who are moved and bound by their outrage for the
>>killing of Ebrima Barry and the raping of Binta Manneh. The delay in the
>>criminal justice system led them to take action in unison. In that
>>respect,
>>they put the criminal justice system on trial. Their lack of faith in the
>>system is what compelled them to call for a demonstration in order to give
>>sharp focus to the issue so that its negligence will be inconceivable. The
>>students were, therefore, struggling for standards and values. They were
>>willing to give their lives for those standards and values. They were
>>determined to have a voice and be heard. They were determined to be seen.
>>They were not willing to compromise their position. The authorities who
>>were
>>dealing with them did not realise how far the students were ready to
>>ensure
>>that they were not ignored.
>>
>>What we have been doing is simply to explain this reality.
>>All Gambians now know that the right to peaceful demonstrate is a
>>democratic
>>right which should be respected. That failure to recognise such rights can
>>lead to national upheaval. This national upheaval did take place as the
>>authorities tried to restrict the demands of the students.
>>
>>Now, we are confronted with the demands arising from the catastrophe.
>>Students are arrested and they need to be released. Some are tortured and
>>they redress. Properties are destroyed and there is need for
>>reconstruction.
>>
>>People have been demanding for a public enquiry. They want
>>to know whether live bullets were utilised which led to the death of
>>students. They want a fair and speedy trial in connection with Ebrima
>>Barry's case. They want a commission of enquiry to know what actually
>>happened. These are their demands.
>>
>>It is left to the government to ignore these demands or address them. It
>>is
>>not for us to indicate whether we are sure that this time anything would
>>be
>>different. It is for us to amplify the immediate demands of the people.
>>Whether the response of the Attorney General is simply meant to be a mere
>>bait to shift attentions from what is really wrong with the country and
>>that
>>the investigations would be half-hearted or not, is left to their
>>practice.
>>
>>What is abundantly clear is that the will of the people has been asserted
>>and a government ignores that will at its own peril; no government can
>>ignore the people's concerns with impunity when the people are determined
>>to
>>matter.
>>
>>You have mentioned the strategic objective of not only demanding for
>>justice
>>in dealing with this particular incident, but to ensure a change of
>>leadership. Of course you know that we also operate an opposition party in
>>order to address
>>the demands of the emerging future; that is the demand for total political
>>change. As far as we are concerned, even if the demands of the passing
>>moments are addressed, that does not negate the major demands of the
>>people
>>for economic prosperity and fullest empowerment.
>>
>>Hence, we are committed to amplifying the demands of the moment and giving
>>suggestions regarding the means to address them, as well as the total
>>transformation of the society.
>>
>>What we have been trying to do is to explain that this is not a law and
>>order issue, opposition and ruling party; it is a struggle to expand the
>>democratic space. It is a refusal to live the old way and a demand for a
>>new
>>way. No government, which is refuses to acknowledge this, can govern this
>>country in peace. This is the fundamental lesson that should be gathered.
>>
>>Suffice it to say, it is the duty of the opposition parties to express
>>these
>>demands of the people clearly and offer them a political alternative. The
>>party in office also has its prerogative to do whatever it desires to try
>>to
>>address the concerns of the people.
>>
>>What is important is for the standards required for addressing the
>>grievances of the moment to be set and weigh practice against the
>>standards.
>>I hope our position is clear.
>>
>>As for the question of a coalition, this is a tactical instrument.
>>Political
>>parties, whether in Senegal or Gambia, can establish coalitions. That is
>>also dictated by circumstances. Your suggestion is noted.
>>
>>Keep in touch.
>>
>>
>>Greetings.
>>
>>Halifa Sallah.
>>
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